Comet Hale-Bopp Over Val Parola Pass

Explanation: Comet Hale-Bopp became much brighter than any surrounding stars. It was seen even over bright city lights . Out away from city lights, however, it put on quite a spectacular show . Here Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed above Val Parola Pass in the Dolomite mountains surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo , Italy . Comet Hale-Bopp 's blue ion tail was created when fast moving particles from the solar wind struck expelled ions from the comet's nucleus . The white dust tail is composed of larger particles of dust and ice expelled by the nucleus that orbit behind the comet . Observations showed that Comet Hale-Bopp's nucleus spins about once every 12 hours.